Friday Moments

Friday Moments as usual with Soule Mama again today.

If you have a moment or two to share, please leave a comment with a link!

I thought I'd finish up the week with a few (final) moments from Block Island.

Good, good stuff.

Have a great weekend.

The long view

Happy Thursday, guys.

One more day till Friday. Wahoo.

Lately, I've been spending some time with a friend whose children are just a bit older than mine. 6 and 8 rather than 2 and 3.

She ate dinner with us last night and commented that she missed this age.

I nearly fell off my chair.

At this point the Wee One was running around the dining room panting like a dog and the Big Boy was peppering her with questions in between every bite she tried to take.

Missed this? 


The more we talk, the more I am reminded that often only through the lens of hindsight do I realize the truth of a situation.

This time, though exhausting and frustrating, is fleeting.

And I will miss it.

Thank you, dear friend, for the gift of your point of view.

I won't be able to cherish every moment of every day, but if I can cherish even just a few moments here and there - what a gift.

Life Lessons - Island Style

I'm fairly certain that Block Island may exist in some sort of dimensional worm hole.

While I was there, life truths seemed simple and understandable.

There is a small, historical cemetery behind the property and I while I explored I was surprised to see that people had lived well into their 70s and 80s during the 1800s.

When I mentioned this unusually long lifespan to my beloved friend he attributed the longevity to, "Island life" and I think he may be right.

Block Island Life Lessons:

Pig piles are hilarious. (That's me on the bottom)

Always hold hands.
(Do you see the Big Boy holding hands with Big Sister??)

There is nothing in the world so important as good friends. 

Babies are so cute.
Especially other people's babies.
And all babies need more kisses. 

Zerberts are hilarious. 

Fathers are remarkable creatures. 

I'm going to try to hold on to my island lessons, but already they are slipping away.

Lost under a tide of laundry and obligations.

It was something about simplicity. And laughter.

Guess I'll just have to go back to be sure I am remembering correctly.

Block Island Part Deux

Oh Block Island.

Even looking through the pictures makes me happy.

What did the children think?

Endless grass for running. 

Or lounging. 

Long paths for exploring.
That little speck is the Big Boy. 

Even the Wee One dared to stray from Mom and Dad.
At least a little. 

Ham bone. 

They loved it.

And we loved watching them love it.

Hours spent blissfully running, rolling and laughing in the grass. I swear - the very earth that Block Island is made of is different.

None of us escaped its' relaxing, peaceful influence.

And these aren't even the pictures from the beach. 

Bliss

Oh Gang, I don't even know where to begin.

We had the most amazing weekend, ever. 


We went to Block Island with some dearly beloved friends.

We stayed at the Amazon Littlefield House which happens to belong to a member of dearly beloved friends' family.

Yeah, I know. Epic. 

Sigh.

Guys.

Seriously.

Unreal.

The house. The property.

Over 100 years old, and lovingly, creatively, authentically restored and maintained.

I've never been anywhere like it.

A peace settled in my soul. It was so quiet. The house and the land seemed to seep into my bones, quietly suggesting, "Sit. Nap. Laugh. Stop and absorb the unbelievable beauty and peace."

Okay, that's enough for today.

Tomorrow perhaps we'll discuss what the kids thought of the place.

Thursday

It's 5:45am and Hubs whispers,
"Wake up, Babe."
I grumble and thrash around a bit.
"Shh!" he says, "The Big Boy has already been up once and I hear the baby crashing around in his crib."
"What?" I say, too loudly, confused and disoriented. Then the enormity of what he has just said sinks in and I freeze, like a rabbit in the sights of a lion. (Lions don't eat rabbits, do they? Well, whatever - you catch my drift.)

Both children.

Awake.

Before 6am.

I throw on fleece pants and a fleece sweatshirt (news like that requires some major comforting) and I tiptoe downstairs.

Priority 1: coffee.

The Big Boy exits his room (for the second time) at 6:03 and presents himself in the kitchen.

Breathe.

The 30-60 minutes I steal prior to the waking of the children is important to me. I am centered and ready to face the day.

Today, I am not ready but the day has found me.

I try to let go. Focus on meeting his needs, as that is my job.  I try, repeatedly, to push all my other to-do's to the back of my mind where they crash around, crying out frustratedly for my attention.

Breathe. Let go.

Moment by moment.

Bedtime

At bedtime at our house Hubs and I divide and conquer. Due to my work schedule most nights I take the Big Boy and Hubs gets the Wee One. 

I gotta admit, by the end of the day, I'm tired and I just want to crash on the couch, but the BB and I have such a sweet routine that I find myself soothed and relaxed - just as much as he is.

 

First there is the analytical assessment and selection of books.

Then the books are lined up, in the order in which they are to be read.

Next we climb into bed, via the desk of course.

Then mon capitan reiterates the plan of attack.

Finally, we get down to the reading.

Eventually, relaxation sets in.

After books, comes cuddling. Which often transitions into hiding-under-a-pillow-and-pretending-we-are-trapped-in-a-cave.

"Come on Mumma we got to find a way out of dis cave!"

Finally, we dismount the bed, via the desk of course.

And my love has to turn off the light himself.

And that's how this BB says "Goodnight!". 

I am

Inspired, as always, by Soule Mama

Today I am...

* tired. It confuses me how the same amount of sleep can feel refreshing one day and like sleep-deprivation the next.

* loving the weather. Yesterday I put a hat briefly on the Wee One, while just recently, pants were entirely optional.

* loving that my oven is working again. Pumpkin bread round deux, STAT. 

* feeling somewhat scattered and pulled in a multitude of directions, but knowing I have my own two spiritual advisers right here to bring me back to center. 

Stop stressing, Mama. "Come see da secwet paff behind dis bush!"

* anticipating some crazy-fabulous weekend plans. And I'm not the only one

Let's get a move on!

*  a hero. Yesterday while unloading a few items from the shopping cart at Target, a big gust of wind caused the cart to start rolling away, with the Wee One still perched inside. It only rolled about 5 inches but my baby-love panicked,
" Mama?!"
" I got you, bud!" I say, grabbing the handle.
And for the rest of the day I was treated to:
"You saved me, mama! Da cart was wolling away, and you saved me!"
Pardon me while I bask in two-year-old adoration.

How's it going with you, dear friends?

Monday

Here we are. Monday again.

We had a bit of a windy, rainy weekend here in good 'ole NH.

It was a good weekend for Chili

Made by Hubs in honor of Pats vs Dallas.

And for books, books, books

Umm, are they sharing?
Probably not, but at least they're not hitting!

It was good.

Quiet and low-key.

How was your weekend?

Friday Moments

Friday Moments with Soule Mama again today. If you have a moment or two to share, please leave a comment with a link!

This week's moment is brought to us courtesy of our beloved Miss Kristen, who nabbed this moment while I was away at work yesterday.

Yes, I know - she's awesome. And she's mine, so back off!

I hate to admit that this might be the best moment ever to grace this here blog.

Just yet another way that Kristen is awesomer than me.

Water Cooler

Sorry gang, not much of a post today because I am going to work! In an office! 

Normally I work from home - which is awesome, don't get me wrong, but heading into the office today makes me feel like a real grown-up again.

I wouldn't want to do it every day, but I sure am excited to deposit my children with beloved Miss Kristen and fly away for a few hours. With my favorite heels on.

See you tomorrow!

The Other Side

Oh guys.

I was given such a gift today.

My beloved friend who took us to the zoo last week sent me some of the pictures she took of our most fabulous day.

Now all you mamas know that we are always taking the pictures, never in the pictures, right?

Well today - I opened up my email and there I was, a mama - caught on film.

Laughing mama.

I do not have the highest self esteem when it comes to my mothering ability.

I recall only the times I am frustrated, short tempered, and tired.

I forget the moments of laughter.

Looking at the monkeys.

I forget the moments when I am patient.

I forget the moments when I am happy.

Turtles.

Sometimes I forget that motherhood can be beautiful.

I most certainly am clueless that occasionally I do a good job.

But here is photographic evidence!

Thank you, dear friend. When I am having one of those horrible-mama moments - I can look at the pictures and remember that I do occasionally get it right.

Fail

I think it is important to share your failures so that other folks may avoid making the same mistakes.

I have been craving pumpkin bread but our oven is broken, so I attempted to make it in the bread machine.

My bread machine even has a "Batter Bread" setting - I was dubious, but I really, really needed some pumpkin bread. With chocolate chips.

So I followed the instructions...

Delicious failure.

Unfortunately, the pumpkin bread stuck tenaciously to the pan.

So, if you'd ever like to make a batter bread in your bread machine - make the batter outside of the machine, then spray the inside of the pan and the paddle with non-stick cooking spray, and utilize the "Bake Only" cycle.

I do not, under any circumstances, suggest attempting the "Batter Bread" process as recommended by the instruction manual.

However, if you have ever successfully attempted this process - do tell, what did I do wrong?

Best Day

Happy Monday, all. 

I hope you you enjoyed the Friday cliffhanger. 

Here's the scoop. 

On Thursday last week, the boys and I went down to visit my beloved friend and her two gorgeous daughters. 

She took us to Roger Williams Park Zoo, and it might have been the most fun my two children have ever had. 

The weather was unseasonably warm, and the park was fabulously empty - giving the kids ample opportunity to run around. 

I wuv dis baby.
She's so freakin' cute I can't even blog about her without using my baby voice. 

Both my boys were crazily charmed by Big Sister. 

She led them around the zoo, holding hands daisy-chain-style through the parking lot, and generally spewing rainbows and pixie dust wherever she walked. 

"Come up here and see this!" She says to the Big Boy, and by God, he did. 

Oh my, our little tour guide gave us quite a day.

He's playing shy for the camera, not for Big Sister. 

The Wee One?

He chased the big kids all day, squealing with toddler delight.

"Wookit dat!"

Even I have to admit the zoo was freakin' awesome.

Hooray! An elephant! 

This bird was the funniest thing I have ever seen.

He was an African crane and he jumped around crazily, dancing and otherwise being hilarious. I couldn't tell if he was trying to appear vicious or attractive, either way, we all stood there laughing until people lined up behind us.

Seriously guys, best day ever. 


It was awesome.

Cloth diapers for sale

Hey Gang,

I'm selling my cloth diaper stash - please forward along to anyone who might be interested :)

Thanks :)

http://nh.craigslist.org/bab/2641303892.html

Friday Moments

Friday Moments, as usual, with Soule Mama again today.

If you have a moment or two to share, please leave a comment with a link!

Yesterday is going to go down in history as one of my best days. Oh man did we have a great day. I'm going to devote an entire blog post to it next week, but for today - a massive teaser.

My boy and his friend. 

Where were we? What were we doing? Friend? Our Big Boy made a friend? 


Mwah ha ha.

You'll have to tune in next week to hear all the details.

Have a great weekend.